What is 7/12 - 5/9?

Here's how to subtract 5/9 from 7/12:

7

12

−

5

9

Step 1

We can't subtract two fractions with different denominators. So you need to get a common denominator. To do this, you'll multiply the denominators times each other... but the numerators have to change, too. They get multiplied by the other term's denominator.

So we multiply 7 by 9, and get 63.

Then we multiply 5 by 12, and get 60.

Next we give both terms new denominators -- 12 × 9 = 108.

So now our fractions look like this:

63

108

−

60

108

Step 2

Since our denominators match, we can subtract the numerators.

63 − 60 = 3

So the answer is:

3

108

Step 3

Last of all, we need to simplify the fraction, if possible. Can it be reduced to a simpler fraction?

To find out, we try dividing it by 2...

Nope! So now we try the next greatest prime number, 3...

Are both the numerator and the denominator evenly divisible by 3? Yes! So we reduce it: